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Public Safety Committee Minutes 2007 10-16-07 Approved as corrected 11/20/2007 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE 800 Game Farm Road Yorkville, IL 60560 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING City Hall, Conference Room Tuesday, October 16, 2007 — 6:00 P.M, PRESENT: Chairperson Spears, Committeemen Plocher, Sutcliff, Werderich ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Lieutenant Rich Hart, City Administrator Brendan McLaughlin, Assistant City Administrator Bart Olson, Mayor Valerie Burd GUESTS: Chairperson Spears called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall. PRESENTATION: None MINUTES: Committeeman Spears inquired as to when additional discussion would take place regarding ice cream vendors. Chairperson Spears stated that the item would be on the January agenda for additional discussion. The minutes of August 22, 2007 were approved as presented. NEW BUSINESS: 1. PS 2007-31 —Police Reports for August—September, 2007 Discussion took place regarding the following: ® Committeeman Sutcliff asked if the percentage of crime increase is growing the same rate as the population is growing. Lt. Hart responded that it was fairly similar. • Chairperson Spears stated that the complimentary and thank you letters attached were very nice. • The old DARE vehicle was sold at auction for $400.00, It was the only bid that was received.. • Chairperson Spears reminded the Committee about the Senior Citizen Police Academy. She stated it was well received last year and that the seniors appreciated the goodie-bags. Additionally, she stated that the Police Department does a good job at the event. 2. PS 2007-32— Proposed Public Safety Committee 2008 Meeting Schedule Chairperson Spears asked the Committee to note the change in the December meeting schedule so as not to conflict with Christmas. 3. PS 2007-33 — Community Service Officer Draft.Fob Description Discussion took place regarding the following: • Chairperson Spears stated that the position is for a non-sworn, civilian employee. • Lt. Hart stated that the salary range is based upon college education, • Lt. Hart explained the CSO will handle minor, non-injury accidents and other service calls where an officer is not necessarily required. • Lt. Hart was instructed to send the job description to Human Resources Manager Denise Kasper for review and for review from the labor attorney, Once approved by both, this item will be sent to the COW for approval. 4. PS 2007-34 — Somonauk Street (Route 47-Colton) — On Street Parking Dan Discussion took place regarding the following: • The Police Department conducted a traffic study. 700 vehicles traveled down the street in the morning along. 450 vehicles traveled down the street in the evening rush hour. • The street was not intended to be a collector street. • Tnrcks park on the street causing vehicles to go around them. • The distance being discussed is 1 block. • There is one resident who resides on the southeast comer who parks his trucks on the roadway. The resident has overgrown brush in the driveway, including a tree that has grown there over the years. He has driveway access from Route 47 Additionally, he has other vehicles parked in his driveway, with room to park the truck there but does not wish to move around his vehicles when one needs to get out • Chairperson Spears suggests that the item go to COW for discussion and that the residents be notified of the meeting. City Administrator McLaughlin stated he would be sure that the residents are notified. • Committeeman Sutcliff suggested the option of a parking ban from 7:00 am — 9:00 am and 3:00 pm — 6:00 pm, Lt. Hart stated that it would be more difficult to monitor during restricted time periods. 5. PS 2007-35—Stop Sign Request for West Main and Church Committeeman Plocher stated that several residents have requested this stop sign as the location is a bus stop and there are presently 2 yield signs there. The street goes uphill. He stated that a No Left Turn sign would be added at River and perhaps the committee should wait to see if the problem is worsened by that Lt Hart stated that when the Polish National Alliance has events in the area, the Police Department, along with County helps to direct traffic north to Eldamain, then to Route 34 to Route 47 to avoid this intersection. 6. PS 2007-36 — Stop Sign Purchase for Countryside Parkway and Center Parkway Intersection Discussion tools place regarding the following: • Chairperson Spears stated that discussion had previously taken place at the committee level regarding this matter. At the present time, Eric would like to experiment with the bigger stop sign which has more reflective tape. There have been vehicles to slow down and others that go through the stop sign. • Eric has been asked to install a larger `Cross Traffic Does Not Stop' sign below the stop sign.. • Lt. Hart stated that the perceptive image is that this is a 4-way stop intersection. • City Administrator McLaughlin suggested the sign be 6" larger with red reflective tape. • The fee for a stop sign ticket is $75,00 and it can not be raised since the City is not home-rule, City Administrator McLaughlin suggested posted a sign stating the fee for disobeying the stop sign. Lt. Hart stated that there are not as many complaints at VanEmmon and Hustes since the fee sign was posted there. • Lt. Hart feels that the divided median is the problem. He is not sure if a stop sign light or raising the fee would help. Additionally, when the Police Department has increased their presence there, the local residents state that the problem decreases for a few days, but then is increases again. He feels that conducting a traffic study would be unofficial, but it could warrant having an official traffic study completed. • Chairperson Spears summarized by stated that City Administrator McLaughlin would check into raising the fine for disobeying the traffic sign and Lt. Hart would have the Police Department monitor the area from 7:00 am until approximately 9:00 am, during the afternoon school dismissal hours and from 5:00 pm— 6:30 pm. OLD BUSINESS: 1. PS 2007-19—Public Display of Signs Discussion Discussion took place regarding the following: © City Administrator McLaughlin stated that he will prepare a letter for candidates for city office regarding sign restrictions. The letter will congratulate the candidate and then inform them that there are regulations and that signs must be kept out of the public right-of-way or they will be removed. • Petitions are due November 5, 2007 for the February primary. • It was determined that City Administrator McLaughlin could go ahead with the letter/packet to the candidates; however, Council should first be sent a copy of the letter for review, 2. PS 2007-26—Off Street Parising Ordinance Discussion Discussion took place regarding the following: • The Police Department has prepared a list of streets in which they feel should be designated `no parking' streets. Additionally, each Aldennan was asked to go duough their wards to identify streets they felt were of concern. • Committeeman Werderich suggested putting a referendum on the ballot regarding parking restrictions to allow the residents the opportunity to be heard. • Lt. Hart explained that he list created by the Police Department was created by Patrol Officers driving down every street and determining which would have limited access for fire and ambulance equipment and which would create problems for the flow of traffic in the event of an emergency. • Lt. Hart explained that the Police Department also feels that a parking ban would help identify criminals. He stated that criminals park down the street from their targets. If a vehicle is parked on the street overnight, the Police Department would know it was suspicious and check into it. • The parking ban was already placed into effect; however, no tickets have been issued as the residents became very upset. Therefore, there is a moratorium for passenger vehicles and light passenger trucks, according to Lt. Hart. • Lt. Hart stated that the parking ban included all roadways with a curb. If the street did not have a curb, you could park on the street, as long as the vehicle was not in the roadway. • Discussion took place regarding which streets are considered collector streets. The committee reviewed the maps. • Discussion took place regarding ordinances in local communities. Naperville does not allow overnight parking in the roadway. Oswego does not allow overnight parking in the roadway and no parking during the day on the fire hydrant side of the street. • If this issue is taken to referendum, the item will need to be prepared 60-90 days before the election on November 8, 2008. Additionally, the City if limited to 3 referendums each election. • The committee felt it was important to address the collector streets at this time. Lt. Hart reminded the committee that, while is does not happen often, during major accidents, traffic is typically diverted to collector streets. City Administrator McLaughlin stated that they would need volunteers from the wards to work on this pilot project.. He would also need to work with the Police Department. • It was suggested that the collector streets should either all have a parking ban or none of them have a parking ban, City Administrator McLaughlin stated that he felt the streets should be looked at on a case-by-case basis. • City Administrator McLaughlin stated that he would distribute new maps and asks that the collector streets be identified better. • It was determined that further discussion would take place at the Committee of the Whole and that the Alderman should be told to be prepared to discuss this issue. The November 13, 2007 COW Agenda will include discussion regarding the collector streets, The November 27, 2007 COW Agenda will include discussion regarding an overnight parking ban. ADDI'T'IONAL BUSINESS: Committeeman Suteliff—none Committeeman Plocher—none Committeeman Werderich—Discussed the following issues: • In the Smith Engineering pamphlet, there is a mention of Safe Routes to School. Is the City involved in this? City Administrator McLaughlin stated that an application was submitted, it is unknown if it was approved or denied. Committeeman Werderich would like a status. • By the dam, a canoe portage is on the down-river side of the warning buoys. There are several problems with this. They are as follows: 1. The new portage is now marked, therefore, no one knows about it. 2. After the recent high waters, the wood chips have washed away. 3. Others use the old portage which is now for emergency access only. Committeeman Werderich would like signage installed. Additionally, he feels that due to the location of the new portage, it is a long way to travel until the new canoe shoot is built. There needs to be a solution. Assistant City Administrator informed the Committee that there is an amendment to the lease agreement which includes the north side as well Committeeman Plocher asked for information to be prepared for the Park Board. It was determined that Staff will look over this matter and bring it back to the Committee for further discussion. • With regards to the new Police Station, Assistant City Administrator Olson will send the space needs analysis done in 2003 to Committeeman Werderich, Plocher and Sutcliff. Chairperson Spears stated that Chief Martin and Lt. Hart would be giving a presentation at the next meeting regarding the new station. ® With regards to traffic monitoring on Route 71 from Route 47 to Route 126, Lt. Hart stated that there is an extra watch in the area, The item is a high priority to the Police Department, There are congestion issues there, Chairperson Spears— Discussed the following issues: • The authority was granted to move the engine braking signs on Route 47 near Bristol Bay but they have not been moved yet. Lt. Hart stated that according to Eric there is an order in • Keep in mind that public safety is the#1 concern. The Village of Oswego has 58 officers (population of 27,000), Yorkville has 30 (population of 16,000), Plano has 21 and Kendall County has 101. The concern is that if a call comes in that requires both officers; there are no officers available for other calls and crime prevention. According to Kendall County, the crime rate increased from 2005 to 2006. With the budget coming up, please remember that officers will retire and the population is increasing, we need to be ready, • The Police Officers are underpaid by comparison; however, they have signed an employment contract. Lt. Hart stated that money is a motivator and they find that they are hiring people with college degrees, training them, then they move on to larger departments with more room for advancement and more money If the City loses a training Police Officer, the cost is very high.. Mayor Burd asked if the City could interject since negotiations are complete, City Administrator McLaughlin stated that he will seek advice from the attorney and that he cautions to committee to be careful as there are legal aspects that need to be considered. Lt. Hart stated that the current contract is for 5 years. The previous contract was opened to discuss wages as the Police Department was losing officers, However, it was agreed upon that only wages would be open for re-negotiation. Mayor Burd—Discussed the following issues: ® The Governor's Illinois Works capital plan is in need of support. The bill includes $45 million to widen Route 47. This affects our community; please contact your State Representative to support this bill. City Administrator McLaughlin—none Lt. Hart—none Assistant City Administrator Olson —none ADJOURNMENT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING: With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Margaret M. Hartigan.